Dole Defends His Economic Plan

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. (Oct. 29) -- The World Affairs Council is a non-partisan group, but in California's heavily Republican Orange County, you've just got to give it a shot. "Being as how this is a non-partisan group," Bob Dole said, "I'd just like, in a non-partisan way, to ask you to vote for me."

Dole was on his game in a speech today, warming -- as he often does -- to a more intimate setting.

He was direct, but funny. "Clinton will say he created 11 million jobs. I met a guy the other day who has three of them."

He calmly outlined his programs. "This isn't rocket science," Dole said. "Revenues are going to (rise) about 20 percent over the next 6 years, the president wants to spend all that. We want to spend about 14 percent of it and give the other 6 percent back to the American people.

"Do you think Clinton's tax cuts stay forever?" Dole added. "No. His tax cuts expire. But the increases go on forever and ever and ever."

He ridiculed the Democrats' fund-raising miscues. "Buddhist temple comes up with $120,000. Innovative. They must have a laundromat next door."

Dole offered a mini-critique of Clinton's performance as international leader. "We are not respected by our allies, not feared by our enemies," he said.

But for the bulk of his time, Dole zeroed in on his economic plan, trying to push it beyond a barrier of skepticism. "You wonder why the people haven't responded to it. We have the nightly news, everybody (saying), 'Oh, this won't work.' They decided it won't work. So they want to convey that to the American people. It will work."

The speech was the last stop of Dole's latest California tour, extended for a day so he could work the golden hustings where he has staked the heart of his final campaign days. But it was not Dole's California swan song. He will wrap things up here next weekend.

Final Week: Dole Vies For Calif.; Clinton Coasts - Oct. 28, 1996

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Dole Defends His Economic Plan

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